On the spatial meaning of contre in French
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Andrée Borillo
Abstract
In its spatial use, the preposition contre (‘against’) applies to nouns that denote entities of the physical world, the notions of “tension” and “force and counterforce” proving to be central. We show that the degrees of intensity expressed by contre depend on: (1) the nature of the “figure” and “ground” and their role as “agonist” (focal force entity) or “antagonist” (opposed force entity); (2) the nature of the force itself (static or dynamic). On the basis of these factors, three schemata are presented, according to the origin of force exertion: in the figure, in the ground or in both sides. But in situations where visual effects play a decisive role, the tension carried out by “force and counterforce” disappears to adapt contre to mere proximity or contrast.
Abstract
In its spatial use, the preposition contre (‘against’) applies to nouns that denote entities of the physical world, the notions of “tension” and “force and counterforce” proving to be central. We show that the degrees of intensity expressed by contre depend on: (1) the nature of the “figure” and “ground” and their role as “agonist” (focal force entity) or “antagonist” (opposed force entity); (2) the nature of the force itself (static or dynamic). On the basis of these factors, three schemata are presented, according to the origin of force exertion: in the figure, in the ground or in both sides. But in situations where visual effects play a decisive role, the tension carried out by “force and counterforce” disappears to adapt contre to mere proximity or contrast.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Contributors vii
- Introduction 1
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Part I. Spatial Entities and the Structures of Languages: Descriptive Work
- A taxonomy of basic natural entities 35
- On the spatial meaning of contre in French 53
- The prepositions par and à travers and the categorization of spatial entities in French 71
- The linguistic categorization of spatial entities 93
- The expression of semantic components and the nature of ground entity in orientation motion verbs 123
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Part II. Spatial categorization in language and cognition
- Categorizing spatial entities with frontal orientation 153
- Containment, support, and beyond 177
- Static and dynamic location in French 205
- Precursors to spatial language 233
- The sources of spatial cognition 247
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Part III. Characterizing categories of spatial entities: Formal ontology
- From language to ontology 269
- The temporal essence of spatial objects 285
- Part-of relations, functionality and dependence 307
- Objects, locations and complex types. 337
- Language index 363
- Subject index 365
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Contributors vii
- Introduction 1
-
Part I. Spatial Entities and the Structures of Languages: Descriptive Work
- A taxonomy of basic natural entities 35
- On the spatial meaning of contre in French 53
- The prepositions par and à travers and the categorization of spatial entities in French 71
- The linguistic categorization of spatial entities 93
- The expression of semantic components and the nature of ground entity in orientation motion verbs 123
-
Part II. Spatial categorization in language and cognition
- Categorizing spatial entities with frontal orientation 153
- Containment, support, and beyond 177
- Static and dynamic location in French 205
- Precursors to spatial language 233
- The sources of spatial cognition 247
-
Part III. Characterizing categories of spatial entities: Formal ontology
- From language to ontology 269
- The temporal essence of spatial objects 285
- Part-of relations, functionality and dependence 307
- Objects, locations and complex types. 337
- Language index 363
- Subject index 365
